The recipients of the 2017 Arts Recognition Awards are Susan Holland, David R. Maracle and Starboard Communications.

Susan Holland

Susan Holland, Curator of the John M. Parrott Gallery, since 2002, is dedicated to the promotion and celebration of the arts in the Quinte Region. During that time she has successfully managed the Gallery through hundreds of exhibitions in all mediums and across all age groups.

She is recognized as a friend and partner of members of the Belleville Art Association who appreciate her expertise, abundance of creative ideas and willingness to collaborate. Susan has made a significant contribution to student learning in the Arts at the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

During her career, Susan has adjudicated at many regional art shows and is sought out for her knowledge and expertise. She is a true asset to the arts community and very worthy of this award.

David R. Maracle

David R. Maracle has been crafting his artistry since 1985, from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, bringing to life the ancestral teachings of the Haudenosaunee People’s way of life through his magnificent stone carvings. David has sold his carvings to many corporations and private collectors including the estate of the late Nelson Mandela and the Emperor of Japan.

Not only is he a world renowned sculptor of stone, David is also a musician and composer and has released over 17 musical compilations and albums over the last 18 years. David has received two Gold Records from the Recording Industry RIAA, for his world ambient sounds of the Iroquoian flute, his multi-instrumental fusion of sounds, and his use of rare world instruments. He has also won numerous Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards and has performed his beautiful ambient music all over the world, including Austria, Pakistan, at the Olympics in Australia, and before the Queen in Parliament.

Starboard Communications is receiving an award for their support of community arts events including the Quinte Arts Council’s Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts and Arts Recognition Awards for more than 10 years. President John Sherratt and his team at Hits 95.5 and Cool 100 are extremely community oriented and give of their time and talents to help arts and community organizations in our area promote their events and fundraising efforts. Media support is extremely important to not-for-profit arts and community groups and Starboard Communications is being recognized for providing their professional expertise, air-time and support.

The awards presentation took place at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts at Dinkel’s Restaurant & Courtyard in downtown Belleville on June 8 from 11:30 am to 2 pm. Our musical guests were vocalist Roanna Kitchen, the winner of last year’s Susan Richardson Bursary, and pianist, Tom Dietzel.

Roanna Kitchen

Tickets are $35 and reservations must be made by June 6 (please indicate if you prefer salmon or chicken). Drop by the QAC office at 36 Bridge Street East in Belleville or call 613-962-1232 to reserve your tickets.

Deadline to submit nominations: June 8 (note new deadline)

HOW TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Check the past nominees (see the list further down on this page).

Print and fill in the form (link below) or pick one up at the QAC office, 36 Bridge St., East, Belleville. Or use the online form (link below).

Tell us in approximatley 250 words why you think the person, organization or supporter should receive an award.

Get at least two letters of support (include their signature and contact information).

If your nomination is accepted you will be invited as our guest to attend the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts along with your nominee. Winners of the Arts Recognition Award will receive a hand-crafted trophy and a certificate.

2016 Award Winners

The 2016 Arts Recognition Awards presentation at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts on June 9 honoured those who had made a significant contribution in support of the arts in the Quinte region. The winners are (left to right) Roli and Linda Tipper, Krista Dalby, Claudette Boulanger, Thérèse Cilia, (Mayor Taso Christopher and Ana Bento of Scotiabank – an event sponsor), and Belleville Downtown DocFest (represented by Gary Magwood).

Krista Dalby

Rick Zimmerman nominated Krista Dalby for her work as a playwright, puppeteer, and producer of theatre and community festivals. She has been a core member of Shadow of a Doubt Collective since 2008, creating original shadow puppetry plays in Prince Edward County.

Krista is co-founder of the Firelight Lantern Festival held each fall since 2014. Last year’s festival included 12 lantern making workshops (that over 150 people attended) and an evening parade down Main Street Picton to a party at the Crystal Palace, where participants enjoyed live music by The Shuffle Demons, a shadow puppet play and a number of events for kids.

She is also Project Director for Puppets Without Borders, bringing puppetry and art supplies to kids around the world, including two trips to remote villages in Ghana, where Krista taught puppet making and shadow puppetry. As one of the ‘Cambodia Creative Four’, she spent a month volunteering including a trip to Cambodia, with Let Us Create, an NGO that serves more than 100 children, providing education, nutrition, and artistic experiences.

Krista’s additional events and projects include: the writing of Unjustly, an original play produced by Festival Players of Prince Edward County; Re: Collections, a collection of library stories that reminiscence about local folk; annual fun events with names like StickFest, Scarecrow Festival and Boxtopia. She is also one of the artistic drivers behind Creative Rural Minds and The PEC Awesome Foundation.

Thérèse Cilia

Ryan Rutter told us that Thérese Cilia has been an artist since she was a child and began apprenticing under an art teacher when she was in elementary school and went on to OCAD to paint and draw. She has now found her niche as an illustrator and was commissioned a few years ago by Newfoundland publisher, Flanker Press, to do her first illustrated children’s book, Over the Harbour. From craft shows in PE County, Toronto, Barrie and Alliston to readings and presentations at the Belleville Public Library and Maranatha Church, she has delighted young and old and her dedication to her art is inspiring. Thérese is currently working on her third book called Keeper of the Light, due out this fall.

Claudette Boulanger

Of Claudette Boulanger, Dona Knudsen writes, “Claudette is a well-respected member of the Quinte arts community both as an artist and as a supporter of the arts. She was one of the founding members of Gallery One-Twenty-One and continues to show there on a regular basis. She is currently an active member of the Belleville Art Association, working on various committees and always willing to donate her time and expertise to help out the Association and individual members with their artistic endeavours. She has introduced many students to the joys of working en plein air both locally and through trips into northern Ontario and Algonquin Park.

Claudette has made a significant contribution to the arts community through her teachings, work with the various arts organizations and her donations to charity. She has done this with a generous spirit, warm infectious sense of humour and a sincere belief in the importance of a vibrant arts community to the cultural life of the city and the well-being of its members”. Nominator, Priscilla Wagner, outlined Claudette’s experience and impact as a teacher who has encouraged and supported hundreds of beginning artists to pick up a brush and paint. “She is so encouraging that everyone who interacts with her feels empowered and appreciated, something all artists need to thrive.” Priscilla also commented on Claudette’s generosity donating work in support of Amnesty International, St. Michael’s Parish, and the Ontario Schizophrenia Society.

Jane Simpson nominated Belleville Downtown DocFest. She explains that “for the last four years, the volunteers of the Belleville Downtown DocFest have done an outstanding job of organizing a world-class documentary film festival that showcases the work of both international and local filmmakers. Having experienced the festival each year, I am extremely impressed with the films that they select to be in the festival and the thought-provoking content of the films screened. The event now sells out each year bringing hundreds of people to the downtown core resulting in a positive economic impact to our City.

Beyond that, the opening galas held at the Empire Theatre are outstanding. Having a live performance after the film that reinforces the story, emotion and theme of the movie is a stroke of brilliance and takes a lot of dedicated effort.

The Belleville Downtown Docfest touches many sectors of our community including the workshops that they undertake with local students. The festival informs, educates, provokes, engages and stimulates everyone who experiences it. It takes significant time, dedication and commitment to organize. Docfest provides an opportunity for local filmmakers to show their work as well as communicate directly with the audience afterwards in the Q&A period conducted after the screening. This award will recognize those who work countless hours behind the scenes to make the festival happen.”

Linda and Roli Tipper

Marsha Roadhouse stated “I can’t think of two people who deserve it more! Roli and Linda Tipper of Tipper Financial Inc. have been incredible supporters of the arts for many years in the Quinte region. Whether it is theatre, music or a visual arts event, you can count on seeing Linda and Roli there enjoying the talents of our many local artists. Their appreciation and support of the arts, and more importantly the artists themselves, extends far beyond their attendance at events. Chances are good, if you look at who has sponsored the event, you will see the Tipper Financial logo.

The arts are far more than a spectator sport for Linda and Roli. They are both known to dabble a bit in the “play” as well, both on stage and off. Linda has graced the stage at the Pinnacle Playhouse, in several productions, including Bedtimes Stories and Staff Members. Roli sings and plays a mean sax. He can melt your heart or inspire your spirit with his flute!

Roli and Linda’s love for the arts is only outdone by their love for their family and commitment to their faith. Their two boys, Adam and Eric were introduced to music and theatre at a young age, and I suspect that it is only a matter of time until those beautiful grandchildren of theirs are dancing on stage. Members of Eastminister United Church and the surrounding area have long had the benefit of having the Tippers, and their passion for the arts, as part of their church family. They are truly an inspiring couple; willingly sharing their love of the arts, their own talents, and their fabulous organizing skills with their community!”

Each of the nominees will receive a hand-crafted award by glass artist, Kirei Samuel of Lalaland and a certificate from the city of Belleville that will be presented at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts on June 9 at Dinkel’s Restaurant from 11:30 am to 2 pm. There will be a delicious three-course lunch created by Paul Dinkel, with entertainment by harpist Tabi Savic, and a cash bar. Tickets are $35 each and must be purchased by June 6 by calling 613-962-1232 or at the QAC box office at 36 Bridge Street East in Belleville or buy online, http://quinteartscouncil.org/tickets/ To view menu options, go to http://quinteartscouncil.org/programs-services/arts-recognition-awards/

The Quinte Arts Council’s Arts Recognition Awards acknowledge and celebrate those artists, groups, individuals, businesses, volunteers and supporters who make a difference to the arts in our community. If you know someone who deserves this award, all you need to do is write 250 words and get 2 letters of support. There is a simple ‘form’ to fill out on the website.

Entertainment at the 2016 Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts was provided by Tabi Savic.

Tabi Savic

Harpist Tabi Savik is 17 years old and attends Centennial Secondary School in Belleville. At last spring’s Quinte Rotary Music Festival she competed in piano, harp and voice to earn the festival’s top awards, Rose Bowl for voice, Silver Strings for harp, Silver Tray for piano, and Joe Demeza Prize for best overall performance of the competition for the first time in the festival’s history. She performed as a soloist, singing and playing harp as part of the Belleville Choral Society’s annual Christmas concert in St. Michael’s Church and she made her symphony debut as a soloist singing and playing harp as part of the Quinte Symphony’s A Quinte Christmas in December of 2015. Currently, she is harpist for the Quinte Symphony, preparing for the upcoming concert on May 8 at 2:30 pm at Bridge Street United Church in Belleville.

2015 Recipients

Arts Recognition Award Winner 2015

Congratulations! Winners of the QAC’s 2015 Arts Recognition Awards at yesterday’s Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts on June 25. Back row: Suzanne Andrews, Susan Walsh and Gordon Craig. Front row: William Fisher, Suzanne Pasternak, and Rob Leek of the Baxter Art Centre. Anne Cunningham (QAC Board Chair) on the far left and Garnett Thompson (City of Belleville) on the far right.

Suzanne Andrews has been a driving force behind Arts Quinte West (AQW). She is currently the manager of the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce and uses her expertise and skill to support the arts in her community. “She is not an artist, but an intense lover of art,” writes Frances E. Luymes, vice-president of AQW, adding that Suzanne has been an invaluable asset to her organization with everything from the incorporation to finding locations within Quinte West for artists to show their work.

Artist Mandy Bing also praises Suzanne for her promotion of the arts and adds that she is “magnificently organized… her commitment to Quinte West is impeccable.” Christine Pellati, one of the founding members of AQW, calls her “the glue that holds the group together. An avid lover of the arts, she has been on the board in various capacities, most recently Chair and Treasurer, and is the person who has the business experience, contacts and know-how that we have always been able to depend on. Her enthusiasm and sense of obligation to the club knows no bounds and she continues to promote our mandate whenever and wherever she has the chance.”

Suzanne Pasternak (photo by Graham Davies)

Suzanne Pasternak

Suzanne Pasternak is a singer, songwriter, composer, musician, recording artist, storyteller, researcher, writer, director, and producer, best known for her many musical theatre productions. Coming from the U.S., a nation that loves its heroes, Suzanne found plenty of heroes in the colourful history of PEC. Her folk opera, Minerva, tells the story of a 17-year-old ship’s cook who, in 1882, during a blinding snowstorm on Lake Ontario, bravely and skillfully rescued all the men aboard. She co-wrote Ship of Fire, a musical about a tragic moment in the marine history of PEC, presented by the Festival Players of PEC in 2012.

Suzanne spent years interviewing, filming and documenting the stories of long-time County residents, capturing the disappearing life of the commercial fisherman on Lake Ontario, before it is lost forever. She started the Kerosene Lamp Series in the Chapel at Black Creek, which presented musicians from near and far in a venue without electrical power, allowing audiences to experience uniquely intimate performances. Suzanne is the producer and artistic director of the first Prince Edward County storytelling festival, premiering this July at Macaulay Museum in Picton.

Recently, Suzanne learned the incredible story of the Halifax Explosion, and how the City of Boston dispatched doctors, soldiers and other personnel to help the devastated citizens of Halifax, and how they struggled to arrive with help through a blinding snowstorm, risking their own lives. To honour their heroism, the City of Halifax donates a Christmas tree to the City of Boston each year. Suzanne is currently working with the City of Boston, the government of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Mass Choir and the Boston Children’s Chorus to have a choral work, (written by Suzanne, Tom Leighton and Mark Despault) performed at the lighting of the Boston Christmas Tree in 2015.

Gordon Craig

Gordon Craig

“For 25 years, Gordon Craig was the highly esteemed Music Director and Conductor of Quinte Symphony,” states Ann Pickett. “When he arrived in 1990 it was with the understanding that he would transform the small pops orchestra into a small symphonic orchestra, capable of playing from the standard symphonic repertoire. And so the journey began…. As our luck would have it, Gordon possesses the whole package of skill sets. As an individual performer, Gordon has the education, talent and musical expertise; he was and is a highly respected clarinetist performing in recitals and with orchestras as a soloist. As an orchestra member he is experienced on both sides of the podium: as a conductor of four orchestras at one time and as principal clarinetist for more than 25 years in Kingston Symphony. As well as experience in performing, he also has expertise in teaching individuals at university and in private classes, over many years.”

Ann also described Gordon’s commitment to developing the musical talents of young people by initiating the woodwind workshops through local school boards, his active participation in fundraising for the orchestra and his patience, kindness and sense of humour that he shared with the orchestra and his students. “Gordon deserves the award for his professionalism and dedication for 25 years to the development of a very fine community symphonic orchestra, which is an enhancement to the community and an enticement for people to make their homes here.”

William Fisher

William Fisher

Ashley-Ann Loft describes William Fisher as “an artist who goes above and beyond originality and creativity. Commonly, carvers use a large variety of power tools; however, this young man only uses a knife, file and a variety of different sand paper grades. The end results of his work are very poetic and beautiful, each masterpiece is a one-of-a-kind and never duplicated. Each one also has a story behind it.” Kerri Smart comments that, “He genuinely creates his artwork from scratch with much effort and time put into each piece. It is also great to see how Will recreates cultural stories and events in his art pieces that are relevant to his ancestral background.”

“Will is not just an aboriginal, and Will is not just an artist,” says April McNamara, “he is the embodiment of Mohawk tradition and spirituality.” Will creates a diverse range of pieces, from bows, arrows and lacrosse sticks to sculpture and Wampum Herkimer diamond jewelry. He also has a successful business, Kehnteke Designs.

Susan Walsh

Susan Walsh

Andy Forgie writes in his nomination, “Susan has been so very important to our performing arts scene over these past many years. My personal connection goes back to the various festivals we were both involved in and organizing in the early 90s. Susan’s many productions with her For the Love Of A Song shows have raised, and continue to raise, many thousands of dollars for a wide variety of charities in our community. She has also been on the ground level in introducing two of our city’s musical ambassadors: Freddy Vette & The Beatles Celebration-All You Need is Love. I have only begun to scratch the surface… I haven’t even mentioned her organizing of our annual Waterfront Festival, Santa Claus Parade and so much more.”

Baxter Art Centre

Baxter Arts Centre

Susan Holland, Curator of the John M. Parrott Gallery, nominated the board of the Baxter Arts Centre. “They have seen to fruition their vision for an arts centre for all mediums and all ages in Prince Edward County. When the old Baxter Canning Factory lunch room became surplus to the municipality, a group of dedicated individuals sprang into action and secured the building and came a step closer to fulfilling their dream. They have worked tirelessly over the past several years to establish the centre as an entity, to update the structure and facilities and to offer an opportunity for all community members to get involved in the creation of this crucial element to enhance our creative lives in Prince Edward County.

“At present there is a vibrant and thriving programme of events taking place at the Baxter Arts Centre encompassing visual arts, music, dance, film and holistic health. There are programmes for kids and adults and the space is available at a very reasonable rate for community groups and individuals to hold meetings and events. The existence of the Centre encourages all of us to explore our creativity and to access exposure to the arts in a comfortable and welcoming place which will continue to grow and enrich lives for many years to come. I believe that the dedicated volunteers, who share this common mandate to bring the arts to everyone in our community, deserve to be honored for their foresight, imagination and determination.”

Each of the nominees will receive a hand-crafted award by glass artist, Kirei Samuel of Lalaland and a certificate from the city of Belleville that will be presented at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts on June 25 at the Greek Hall in Belleville from 11:30 am to 2 pm. There will be a delicious 3-course lunch, entertainment by the Starpainters and a cash bar. Tickets are $35 each and must be purchased by June 18 by calling 613-962-1232.

2014 Recipients

Quinte Arts Council’s Arts Recognition Awards 2014 – 20th Anniversary

2014 marked the 20th anniversary of the Arts Recognition Awards which began in 1994 as part of QAC’s Two Weeks in May festival. Each spring, members of the community send in their nominations, accompanied by at least two letters of support.

2014 Award Winners

The winners were… Back row, left to right: musician, Richard Penner; sound technicians, Paul Johnson and Rob Kellough of Through The Cedars Music Production; writer and historian, Gerald Boyce. Front row, left to right: artisans, Connie Yrjola, Barb Forgie and Cara Hunter of We Create Artisan Events; and theatre director, Elizabeth Marshall. PHOTO BY MICHAEL BRETHOUR

They were honoured at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts, held on May 15 in the Park Ballroom at the Travelodge, in Belleville. Over 145 guests were treated to a four-course lunch before the awards presentation, as well as to music by the Starpainters Duo, Andy Sparling and Dave Reed, and accordionist, Jessica Melchiorre.

Gerald Boyce was nominated for his tenacious support and promotion of local history. “His own books, such as Belleville, a Popular History (2008) have helped preserve the historical record of this city while Historic Hastings (1967) is the definitive history of the region… As an educator, historian, volunteer with the Historical Society, lecturer, author of many books, publications and historical papers, member of Belleville City Council and other Civic bodies and boards, he is without equal in the Bay of Quinte area… At age 80, he continues to serve as an active heritage advisor to the Hastings County Historical Society.”

Elizabeth (Liz) Marshall has been a strong pillar of the Belleville Theatre Guild for more than four decades. “Her involvement has covered almost every facet of the life of the Guild. She has served on the Boards of Directors, Play-reading Committees planning the productions for each season, and in many capacities behind the scenes, as producer, designer, and actor… In 1991 she won the Ottawa Little Theatre Trophy as Best Director for The Death of a Salesman, the Theatre Guild’s entry in that year’s Eastern Ontario Drama League Spring Play Festival… In addition to her full-time career as a teacher, (now retired), Liz has devoted 42 years of her life to the Belleville Theatre Guild, helping to bring outstanding community theatre… to countless audiences in those decades.”

Richard (Rick) Penner’s love of music, both secular and religious, has moved him to volunteer his time and talent wherever he has lived. He has played for a number of Belleville Theatre Guild productions. He has played organ and directed the choir at St. Matthews United Church in Belleville and at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Madoc. According one supporter, Rick is “a very talented musician who is always willing to use his talent to entertain, educate and assist others in their endeavours. Rick brought a highly professional level of musicianship to an amateur church choir and raised its standard of performance singing four part harmony, far above what the choir thought possible.” Many of you will know Rick for his free monthly Musical Gifts program in the John M. Parrott Art Gallery. So far, he’s researched and presented the music of 34 individual composers, groups, stylists, or musical periods. He often invites young singers to join him for these performances and his guidance gives them confidence and stage presence in front of an audience.

A group award went to Connie Yrjola, Barb Forgie and Cara Hunter of We Create Artisan Events. “All three ladies are wonderful and tireless contributors to our arts community through their many artistic projects. Between them, they have produced countless artisan shows… 2014 will mark the fifth annual Mother of All Craft Shows, the third annual Kaleidoscope…a celebration of craft and design and the fifth annual Mistletoe Magic Artisan Show. These shows not only support local artisans by giving them an opportunity to showcase their unique talents but also support many worthwhile causes. Along the way they have raised many thousands of dollars and awareness for local charities including the Quinte Humane Society, Adam’s Hope, Fixed Fur Life, Heal with Horses and the Food for Learning program.”

Paul Johnson and Rob Kellough received an award for their business, Through the Cedars Music Production. “They are deeply entrenched in the artistic fabric of their community and do their job without question or complaint. Quite often, event technicians are the first to arrive and last to leave and long days can be the norm. Both Paul and Rob exemplify a professional standard that the ‘big city’ technicians could learn from. Whether it’s being polite and understanding with young artists new to the stage or addressing all the little things that ‘come up’ as an act is setting up and sound-checking, these guys do it to a standard that makes me proud to work with them.”

Each winner was presented with a certificate from the City of Belleville as well as a trophy created by glass artist and sculptor, Marc ‘Budgie’ Bourdon.

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